Rail-retainer.



G. SMITH. BAIL RETAINER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22.1914.

1, 1 20,098. Patented 139a i91 anvnufoz GEORGE l rm GEORGE SMITH. OF EAGLE GROVE, IOWA.

RAIL-RETAINER.

Specification of Letters Yatent.

Patented Dec. 8, 1914.

Application filed June 22. 1914, Serial No. 846.605.

, zen of the United States, residing at Eagle Grove, in the county of \Vright and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rail-Retainers, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in rail retainers and more particularly to what will be. hereinafter known as a railgage or anti-spreading device, the main object of the present inven tion being the provision of a device of this character which can be quickly and readily placed in position for engagement with the outer flanges of the rails and prevent the rails from spreading and, at the same time, can be quickly and readily adjusted to securely fasten thcsamc to the rails.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of means whereby the rail engaging members are securely held against rotary movement after being placed in position so that they will not become disengaged from the flanges of the rails, during the tightening or fastening operation.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a device of the above characterwhich will possess advantages in points of'efiiciencv aud durability, is incipensive to manufacture and, at the same time, is simple in construction and operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in thenov'el features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will he hereinafter referred to and more particularly pointed out in the specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rail retainer constructed in accordance with my invention; and Fig. 2 is a top plan view, parts thereof being broken away and illustrated in cross section.

In carrying out my invention, I provide two like clamping members which include the spaced alined hook members 1 the parallel shank portions of which are integrsllyi connected by meansof a transverse bar 2, said her being provided with a central opening 3 having formed in the side walls thereof the diametrically opposed transverse recesses 4, the purpose of which will be here inafter more fully set forth. Removably mounted within the openings 3 are the connecting rods 5, the outer ends of which are provided with suitable head members 6, while the inner endsthereof are threaded, as shown at 7 and are movably-engaged within the opposed ends of a turn buckle 8. From this it will be apparent that after the hook members have. been engaged with the outer edges of the base flanges of the rails,

the turn buckle 8 may be readily rotated' upon the inner ends of-the rods 5 to se curely fasten the clamping hooks in position.

Formed integral with the outer ends ofwith the head (i, said lugs being adapted to be arranged within the transverse' recesses l when the rods 5 are in an operative position to prevent any turning movement: .of the transverse bar 2 upon the rods 5, so as to securely retain the hook members inposition, that they may be readily engaged over the base flanges of the rails.

From the above it will be apparent that the hook members 1 can be inserted beneath the rails between the ties and engaged with the outer base flanges of the rails, is'aid hooks being retained against rotary movement so that they maybe readily engaged by means of. the lugs t) which are fitted withinthe recesses 4 to prevent-said hook members from rotating. while attempting to engage the same w th the base flanges of the rails It will be readily apparent that m improved rail age or anti-spreading evice can be quickly and readily applied to the railway rails in two differentmanncrs. The rods 5 may be en aged with the hook members and inserted the outside thereof and then' connected 'by the turn buckle 8, or the heads 3 may be first connected by the turn buckle and the hook members inner sides of tie rails until they will engage with the base flanges-after which the turn buckle 8 will be rotated to rigidly clamp the hooks to the rail flanges From the above, it will be apparent that I have provided a simple and durable device which can not. only be used as a rail gage, but can be used equally as well for retaining the rails against spreading movement.

beneath the rails-from While I 'havelshown and described the preferred form of my invention, it willbe obvious that various changes in the details sf construction and in the proportions may be resorted. to for successfully carrying my invention'into practice, without sacrificing any of the novel features ordepa rting from the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended clainis.

Harm thus described this invention,

1. A device of the class described including alined hook members having spacedperallel shank portions, a transverse barintegrnlly connecting-said hook members and having a central opening therein, remov able rods arranged within said openings and h'v-in% head portions ,to engage the transverse ars, means whereby to prevent rotary movement of the hook members after connecting said shanks, said bars each having a central opening provided with transverse recesses in the walls thereof, a reinovable rod arranged within said opening havverse bar, diametrically opposed lugs forined'integral with the headedend of the. rod and adapted to be arranged within said recesses to prevent rotarymovement ofthe bar upon t 1e rod, and a turn buckle eonnecting the inner threaded ends oft-he rods from opposite sidesjof the track, as and for the purpose set forth. I

In testimony whereofI hereunto afiixi my signature 'in the presence of two witnesses.

- GEORGE SMITH- \Vitnesses:

CHARLES SMITH, \VM. A. SMITH.

30; ing aiheud adapted to engage the trans- 

